-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Facebook is expanding its Gift feature to include plastic gift cards that carry balances for multiple stores and restaurants .

The cards only work at four stores for now : Target , Jamba Juice , Sephora and The Olive Garden . So if you 've been wondering how to give your little sister a birthday gift that combines fruit smoothies , lip gloss and unlimited breadsticks , this product is for you .

When you buy a card on the social network for a friend , they get a message informing them of the gift right away -LRB- great for scrambling at the last minute -RRB- . The cash amount is loaded on to a plastic card that is delivered in the mail , likely in some sort of paper envelope .

The recipient can then take that physical card into a physical store and buy physical goods . For an Internet company , it 's all delightfully old fashioned .

The cards will be rolling out gradually for Facebook users in the United States .

Facebook is entering a crowded field and offers a couple of features to differentiate itself from other gift cards . The gift giver can choose which of the available stores to give money to -- say $ 5 to cover a drink at Jamba Juice and $ 20 for home goods at Target . The recipient can monitor the balances on their card from the Facebook app -LRB- but they ca n't move the money between vendors , no matter how much they would rather have mascara than pasta -RRB- . Any gift amounts they get in the future are automatically added to the same card .

Facebook launched its Gifts feature in September for physical goods like chocolate , shirts , flowers and wine , as well as virtual items like donations to charity , Uber credit and Netflix subscriptions . It also offered gift cards for specific vendors such as Starbucks and iTunes . This new card is different because it will work at multiple retailers , is refillable and integrates with the Facebook app .

Even though you can see your card 's balance on a smartphone , there are n't mobile payment options at the moment . Facebook cards are n't compatible with existing mobile payment technology like NFC , QR codes or barcodes that allow people to pay for goods with their mobile phone . For now the company is sticking with the traditional plastic rectangle and magnetic-strip technology that is most widely accepted across the United States .

The new product falls somewhere between store-specific cards and bank-issued open gift cards that can be used almost anywhere credit cards are accepted .

It also may create some privacy issues . In order to receive the card , the recipient will have to share their mailing address with Facebook , which might make some people uncomfortable .

Gift cards are an easy workaround for people who do n't have enough time or personal knowledge to pick out a specific gift . Like cash , you know it will be useful and there 's no danger of getting people something they will hate . Choosing cards from specific vendors like a favorite coffee spot or clothing store can be slightly more personal than a Visa card to be used anywhere . With this card you can mix and match stores .

Facebook has been experimenting with all kinds of money-making schemes in the past year , like paying to send messages to strangers . Most of the company 's revenue comes from advertising -- 84 % , according to the latest earnings report -- but it also makes some money off games and programs like Facebook Gifts . The social network says it has more than a billion active users , and that 's a largely untapped resource .

A Facebook spokesperson said the company had nothing to share about how it will make money off the Card service . There are no fees for the gift giver or gift receiver , so Facebook is likely earning a percentage from the participating companies .

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Facebook is adding gift cards to its Gifts service for users in the United States

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Initial offerings include Target , Jamba Juice , Sephora and the Olive Garden

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When you buy a card on the social network for a friend , a message tells them of the gift